Andy Polaine is a designer, educator, writer and podcast guy. He hosts the wonderful 'Power of Ten' podcast. Andy is known for his work as a service designer, innovation consultant and professional executive coach.

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Julian

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My friend Tom Guarriello joins me to unpack a deceptively simple question—why do some things matter more than others?

How is it that “brands” are rarely just products.

Tom describes how they’re meaning-machines: coffee cups, clothes, grocery aisles, and the everyday objects we carry through life are the things that quietly scaffold identity, aspiration, and sense of belonging.

Choice arrives instantly; explanation comes later.

Tom’s “meaning stack” helps us understand the rise of culture brands those brands that don’t just sell products, but stage worlds: concerts, exhibitions, lifestyles, and point-of-view.

Tom's new book gets into all of this and more. Check out his "The Meaning of Branded Objects".

https://tomguarriello.com

Here we are — where imagination becomes strategy and art is the engine of innovation. This is a rebroadcast of my conversation in Episode 54 with my friend Dave Gray - artist, visual thinker, and founder of the School of the Possible - in which we explore how drawing and creativity can unlock new ways of seeing, thinking, and shaping the future.

Simple sketches can transform complex ideas and help organizations envision possibilities that don’t yet exist — Dave is a maestro.

In our chat, Dave shares stories from his journey as an illustrator, consultant, and teacher, revealing how visual storytelling and hands-on creativity are essential tools for navigating uncertainty and designing better futures.

Whether you’re a strategist, designer, or just curious about the power of art in business and life, this conversation will inspire you to pick up a pen, embrace your imagination and let it help you create the future you want to inhabit.